Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Craig and Alyse Donnell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Craig and Alyse, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

I found myself in a situation where I needed to have a lean physique for an upcoming role. Under normal circumstances that would’ve been great but at that particular time I was heavier than I’d ever been, struggling to find a program that would get me to my desired goals, and doubting if it would be possible in such a short turnaround. Not only did Intentional Living help me reach my goals it also reintroduced me to what could be possible with the proper guidance. -Mo McRae

Intentional Living has been an unparalleled fitness shift for me. Not only am I able to physically transform for film and television, I also have the opportunity to engage in spiritual ‘heavy lifting’ with Founder, Craig Donnell, Jr. It’s an all-encompassing experience that has proven to be life changing. Everything about this company is Intentional, in the best of ways! – Trai Byers

I have had many personal trainers. However what differentiates IL is Craig’s ability to access your mindset, your mental strengths and weaknesses, your emotional state, your spiritual health and adjust his coaching to transform you from the inside while simultaneously transforming your body. He does it in a way that is strategic but light hearted and fun (even at 5am). Craig’s genuine passion for you operating at your best and highest self, pushes you to not give up. His love for his wife and son and his level of gratitude is infectious. You can’t help but experience an elevated spirit when in his presence. I have lost about 30 pounds but gained more focus, respect for my body, an awareness of my blessings, more income (as a result of my discipline) and a commitment to live intentionally. I am forever grateful and will be a client for life. Do not contemplate the decision to invest in yourself. You need IL to go to the next level mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially!!! – Tonika Brockman

Craig and Alyse, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Craig & Alyse are on a mission to help everyone they come in contact with be the best versions of themselves. They have a 20-year background in the fitness industry, and within the last 10 years branched into a more holistic view of health and wellness. They believes they can not only transform the physical side of you but also speak life and transform your mental and spiritual side, so that you may become the best version of yourself.

Mission
Intentional Living is a mindset. A way of life. It’s not just a company, it’s a belief that we should be intentional about our health: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. To be whole you must be intentional about every area of your life.

Training Philosophy
Training has more benefits than just physical appearance. Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. We train to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Why Intentional Living
We take a holistic fitness approach to achieve an overall sense of well-being. A husband and wife duo that provides effective and engaging workouts paired with inspirational life coaching. Fun back and forth banter and storytelling with a faith-based foundation help to get clients motivated to be the best version of themselves in every aspect.

What you think sets you apart from others?
We believe in helping the inner part grow as well as the outer part. Meaning we believe in helping the individual face and heal from their trauma. We all have it to some degree. We believe the better you feel, the better you’ll be, and the better you’ll look. When you get better, everything gets better.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One thing I had to unlearn was my belief about selling. I used to look at salesman as sleezy and manipulative, until I saw it from a biblical perspective. When you know what you’re selling adds value to someone’s life you have an obligation to get it in front of as many people as possible. Especially when it benefits the person as a whole; mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional state. When these parts get better you can even benefit more financially. (Craig)

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes! This is kind of long but i’ll try to make it short. Met my wife now (Alyse) when I was an electrician. She just moved back to Missouri from LA after a bad break up. I was going through a divorce from my first wife. Needless to say Alyse and I were both fragile and not really looking for anything, but God had other plans. The first date we went on I knew she was it, Low key I was mad at God because I felt like I wasn’t ready, I had a lot of trauma and wanted to heal. But looking back, I really didn’t want to, I wanted to do what most men do and drink it and sex it away. Which actually never works. God knew what I wanted, but He gave me what I needed. It wasn’t too long before my wants became my needs. Well Alyse wasn’t making no money on her job because her boss basically created a position for her. She was making like $200/wk. So I asked her one day why she never spent any money and she told me. Being the man I am I took care of her, as a friend. I liked her, but more so than that I hate seeing good people struggle. Plus God told me she was it so it was kind of an investment I guess. Fast forward to the next year, we get married and my best friend/coworker dies friday after work. It really messed me up. It showed me how short life really is. I had a dream shortly after of him telling me I had to live my life and do what God is calling me to do, I woke up, told my wife about it and she told me I should quit my job and go full time. Oh, I forgot to mention her boss got a new position with a major pay raise, which gave her one too, She was now making what I made as an electrician, Going full time scared me because if there’s one thing my dad taught me was how to provide, Needless to say those first two years was rough on me. Alyse was basically taking care of me and it messed with me mentally, I didn’t realize how much of my identity was in providing financially, I didn’t feel like a man, (Something else I had to unlearn). I had to sit down and be transparent with my wife, She reminded me of how I held her down when we were dating, and now it was her turn, I saw how God set up the whole thing. In order for you to grow you have to get uncomfortable. Now you know how I know that to be true. Looking back on it, I needed that to be able to get here, We’re not nearly close to where we want to be but we are definitely not where we were.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: intentionallivingllc
• Facebook: intentionallivingllc
• Youtube: DownWithTheDonnells
• Other: email [email protected]

Image Credits
Aurora’s Eye Tamra Cobbins